Former Vice President Kamala Harris is set to receive protection from the California Highway Patrol following the revocation of her Secret Service detail by President Donald Trump. According to law enforcement sources cited by the LA Times, officials in California have stepped in to provide security for Harris as her extended Secret Service protection is scheduled to end.
On Thursday, Trump signed an order that retracted the protection previously afforded to Harris, effective from Monday. This decision came after discussions involving California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who deliberated on the best approach to handle the security situation. Typically, former vice presidents are entitled to six months of protection after leaving office, whereas presidents receive protection for life.
One of President Biden's final actions was to extend Harris' protection until July 2026 following a request from her aides. This extension is notable as, after the six-month period, former vice presidents, including Mike Pence and Joe Biden, generally pay for their own private security arrangements.
Aside from Harris, the only former vice president to receive protection beyond the standard six-month period was Dick Cheney, who obtained approval from then-President Barack Obama in 2009. This historical precedent underscores the unusual nature of extending security for a former vice president, particularly under these circumstances.
Governor Newsom's office has refrained from commenting on specific security arrangements, stating, "The safety of our public officials should never be subject to erratic, vindictive political impulses." It is important to note that Newsom must approve any arrangement with the California Highway Patrol for Harris' security.
With the loss of 24/7 in-person Secret Service protection, Harris will also forfeit access to critical threat detection intelligence, raising concerns about her safety. Mayor Karen Bass condemned Trump's decision, labeling it as "another act of revenge," and emphasized the potential dangers posed to Harris. She expressed her commitment to collaborating with the governor to ensure the former vice president's safety in Los Angeles.
Trump's abrupt withdrawal of Harris' protection could have significant implications as she prepares for an upcoming nationwide book tour for her memoir, titled '107 Days'. The book is said to reflect on her brief presidential campaign of 107 days following Biden’s exit from the race. The tour is scheduled to commence on September 24th in New York City, the day after her book launch, and will primarily take place in deep-blue cities.
Former presidents and high-profile public officials often face security threats, with Trump himself having survived two assassination attempts during the contentious 2024 presidential election. The political landscape surrounding Harris' security situation highlights the intersection of safety and political maneuvering in contemporary America.
